Chinese Barbeque Pork (Char Siu)
Chinese Barbeque Pork, also known as Char Siu, is a popular and beloved dish in Chinese cuisine. This sweet and savory pork dish is characterized by its glossy, caramelized exterior and tender, juicy meat. Char Siu is a staple in Cantonese cuisine, and it is often served as a main dish, sliced and served with steamed rice or noodles, or used as a filling for buns and pastries. The dish is also commonly found in Chinese restaurants and food stalls around the world, where it is enjoyed by people of all backgrounds.
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
2 hrs
Additional Time:
3 hrs
Total Time:
5 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
6
Ingredients
Directions
Step 1
Place soy sauce, honey, rice wine, hoisin sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, five-spice powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and curing salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil on high heat; reduce heat to medium-high. Cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.
Step 2
Cut pork roast in half lengthwise. Cut each half again lengthwise forming 4 long, thick pieces of pork.
Step 3
Transfer cooled sauce to a large mixing bowl. Stir in red food coloring. Place pork sections into sauce and coat each piece. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 to 12 hours.
Step 4
Preheat grill for medium heat, 275 to 300 degrees F (135 to 150 degrees C) and lightly oil the grate. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 5
Remove sections of pork from marinade and let excess drip off. Place on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt to taste.
Step 6
Transfer pork sections to grate over indirect heat on the prepared grill. Cover and cook for about 45 minutes. Brush with marinade; turn. Continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 1 hour and 15 minutes more. Do not use any more marinade on cooked meat until after you boil it.
Step 7
Place leftover marinade in a saucepan; bring to a boil; let simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Now you can use it to brush over the cooked pork.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
513
Calories
22g
Fat
49g
Carbs
26g
Protein
Complement
The key to Char Siu's distinctive flavor lies in its marinade, which typically includes ingredients such as hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, Chinese five-spice powder, and sometimes fermented bean curd or red fermented tofu. The pork is marinated for several hours or overnight, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat and infuse it with a rich and aromatic taste. Once marinated, the pork is roasted or barbequed until it develops a caramelized, slightly charred exterior, resulting in a deliciously tender and flavorful dish that is sure to delight the taste buds.
